August 12, 2026 — Celebrate Squaxin Culture, Local Artists — and Beer
Molly Gilmore “Arts Aficionado” #7 — August 12, 2026
— Good Times Flow in Tumwater
— It’s the Water — and the Culture
— Creative Space Opens Downtown
festival
Shelton Art Walk
Join us for the 3rd Annual Shelton Art Walk on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 12–6 PM in historic downtown Shelton. Presented by the Shelton Creative District, this free, all-ages event celebrates the artists, makers, performers, businesses, and community members who make Shelton a vibrant place to live and create. Explore exhibitions, installations, demonstrations, and …
LoveOly SummerFest Brings Summer Fun
The purpose of LoveOly, in its third year, is to bring people together and promote downtown. “I love it that we bring the community together right when kids are fresh from the school year,” said Desiree Freeman, executive director of the Downtown Olympia Alliance, which organizes LoveOly. The family-friendly event comes to life June 20 to 22.
Shake It With Olympia Funk Festival
The Funk Fest is seen by the organizers, Ecstatic Sound Collective, as “more than just music—it’s a celebration of community and culture.” To that end, downtown Washington Street will be transformed into a lively street party. This 2nd annual Olympia Funk Festival is an incredible lineup of talent coming to three Capital City venues—the Olympia Ballroom, the Olympia Center, and the historic Capitol Theatre!
The Lacey Cultural Celebration is Coming
There is a world of fun planned for this year’s Lacey Cultural Celebration, happening Saturday, Feb. 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at St. Martin’s University. There will be dance and music, activities for children and adults and food vendors from around the world. Jeanette Sieler at Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation advises to “come early and plan to stay the whole day … don’t try to do it all in an hour.”
Tacoma Light Trail Lends Brightness to Winter Doldrums
Tacoma Light Trail, December 31 through January 12, brings much-needed illumination to the dark winter streets of Tacoma. The Light Trail will line the streets of Tacoma with light art installations, and the entire free event will be blessed by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. Food trucks will be on hand to make this a perfect family-friendly way to ring in the new year.
Northern Sky Festival at Oyster Bay Farm
One of the region’s newest festivals, Northern Sky, has descended upon Olympia’s Oyster Bay Farm on Friday, September 6 and Saturday, September 7 when the grounds of the farm were transformed into a stunning backdrop for the inaugural Northern Sky at Oyster Bay.
MOSAIC: Tacoma’s Arts and Culture Festival Celebrates a Multifaceted South Sound Community
MOSAIC: Tacoma’s Arts and Culture Festival at Tacoma’s Wright Park on July 27 and 28 is a weekend of multicultural music, dance, art, crafts, and cuisine, with an evening movie in the park and a Kids Zone and sprayground. The festival will see a visit from the Mobile Teaching Kitchen, which will provide a preview of culinary courses available through Metro Parks Tacoma.
LoveOly SummerFest 2024
By John Longenbaugh This is on page 8-9 of OLY ARTS Summer 2024 print edition. Ah, summer. The time of year when what you want isn’t just one good thing, but a bunch of them sort of bumping into each other in an exciting fashion. Take the words “Love,” “Oly,” “Summer” and “Festival”— four fine …
Enjoy the Diverse Cultures of the South Sound at Tacoma Moon Festival 2024
By Molly Walsh This is on page 14-15 of OLY ARTS Summer 2024 print edition. Lining the shores of Commencement Bay in Tacoma, the Tacoma Chinese Reconciliation Park is home to the annual Tacoma Moon Festival, an event that commemorates the multicultural makeup of the South Sound and beyond. At the Tacoma Moon Festival, community …